Brussels - (AFP) - NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced on Tuesday that the alliance had "doubled" its presence in the Baltic and North Seas to "more than 30 ships" after sabotaging the Nord Stream gas pipeline.

He said in a press conference that these ships "are supported by marine patrol aircraft and capabilities in the depths of the sea."

He added that the buildup efforts are "closely coordinated by NATO's Maritime Command."

These offshore areas include other gas pipelines that connect Norway with European countries and are of great importance.